Graduate Study in Early Intervention
Project
Information & Options
About TOP
The Training Options for Early Intervention Personnel (TOP)
project offers graduate study in early intervention/early childhood special education for
practicing professionals in early intervention, early care and education, and related
fields. Supported by a U.S. Department of Education Office of Special
Education Programs grant, participants in
the TOP project can pursue programs leading to an endorsement as a Maine Teacher of Young
Children with Disabilities Birth to School-Age Five or to a master’s degree. Both
options emphasize an interdisciplinary, family-centered, developmentally and individually
appropriate and inclusive perspective.
When, Where and Who
These courses will be available to students at multiple locations
throughout Maine and will employ distance education technologies such as video
teleconferencing and computer conferencing. Classes will be scheduled for evenings,
Saturdays, or one-week intensive summer institutes. This coursework will be valuable to a
wide range of early intervention and early childhood personnel with diverse educational
needs such as developmental therapists, early childhood teachers, administrators, speech
pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, nurses,
counselors, and psychologists. Prerequisites include having a bachelor’s degree or,
if an undergraduate, having senior standing and advisor’s permission. Students will
need to have access to a computer with Internet capability.
Endorsement Option: Teacher Of Young
Children With Disabilities Birth To School-Age Five Endorsement
This 24-credit option provides the courses required
for endorsement as a developmental therapist (Teacher of Young Children with Disabilities
Birth to School-Age Five) and is designed to enhance practitioner expertise in current
knowledge and skills necessary to engage in best practices in early intervention. It is
comprised of the following courses:
- Foundations of Early Intervention
- Typical and Atypical Development in Infancy and Early
Childhood
- Fostering Partnerships in Early Intervention
- Serving Infants and Toddlers in Natural Environments
- Assessment and Program Planning for Early
Intervention
- Planning Inclusive Early Childhood Programs and
Environments
- Inclusive Early Childhood Curriculum
- Practicum in Early Intervention
Degree Option: M.Ed. in Special Education/Early
Intervention
This 39-credit master’s degree program of study
includes all courses for the Teacher Of Young Children With Disabilities Birth To
School-Age Five Endorsement as well as additional courses listed below, which emphasize
preparation for leadership roles in early intervention:
- Administration, Supervision, and Public Policy in
Early Intervention
- Seminar in Collaborative Consultation
- Practicum in Collaborative Consultation
- Introduction to Research
- Graduate Project in Early Intervention
Tuition Support
Tuition support will be available to students,
including part time students, enrolled in the master’s degree and/or certification
program of study options. Depending on student enrollment, books, fees, and some travel
may also be supported.
